ABSTRACT: In order to find physiologically active components from higher fungi, hot-water soluble components were extracted from the basidiocarps of Ganoderma lucidum. The extract was purified and separated by DEAE cellulose ion exchange chromatography and Sepharose CL-4B gel filtration method. The separated fractions were designated CR, IN, IA, GL and GH. Fraction GL showed the highest antitumor activity among the fractions and its molecular weight was found to be 47 KD. The tumor inhibition ratio of Fr. GL was 81 % at the dose of peritoneal administration of 20 mg/kg/day for 10 days in mice. Chemical analysis of this fraction showed 82% polysaccharide, 8% protein and 0.9% hexosamine. The polysaccharide moiety consisted of 63% glucose, 27% galactose, 7% mannose and 3% fucose. Fraction IN was found to increase the amount of superoxide anion in activated macrophages to 1.6-fold and the number of plaques in hemolytic plaque assay to 6-fold, respectively. These results indicate that the antitumor activity was exerted through immunopotentiation, but not through direct cytotoxicity against the tumor.

Factors influencing the fusion frequency of protoplasts were investigated with auxotrophic mutants of Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus ostreatus. Immediately after the polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution was added, the protoplasts adhered firmly and shrank. During the subsequent dilution with 0.6 M sucrose, the protoplasts regained their normal size and larger bodies were observed. Interspecific heterokaryons were obtained by fusion of the nutritionally complementing protoplasts. Hyphae of the heterokaryotic fusants formed true clamp connections. The optimum conditions were a total of 1 to 15 million protoplasts per ml, 30% polyethylene glycol 8000 solution with adjustment to pH 8.0 and 0.6 M sucrose stabilized regeneration medium. Other parameters such as , glycine, exposure time and temperature influenced mainly the viability of the protoplasts.

Hydroxylation in the -position of progesterone molecules was carried out using Rhizopus nigricans spores immobilized within various gel matrices, among which polyacrylamide and agar gel were proved to be the most effective. Reactions with the immobilized cells and in­tact free cells showed almost identical conversion rate of progesterone, optimal pH and reaction time for attaining maximal yield, from which were confirmed absence of any decay and modification of enzyme activities.

This study was conducted to find out the effects of Thiabendazole on controlling green mold causing serious damage to oyster mushroom, Pleurotus spp. during the cultivation. In vitro, the strains of oyster mushroom such as ASI 2018, 2072 and 2016 were inhibited by 500 ppm of the fungicide, but the strain of ASI 2001 and ASI 2070 was inhibited by 100 and 500 ppm on oatmeal agar, respectively. The mycelial growth of the oyster mushroom started to be inhibition by soak treatment at a 0.2g/1000 ml aqueous solution of the fungicide. When the oyster mushroom and green mold inoculated both or separately on the substrates of soak treatment, the green mold did not grow at all, but the oyster mushroom grown well. The maximum control effect of the green mold showed when of the fungicide was sprayed on the surface of substrates before pasteurization. The highest yield of the sporophores of oyster mushroom was obtained from treatment.

This study was conducted to select the promising antifungal microoganisms for biological control of wet bubble, Mycogone perniciosa. Ninty one isolates of fungi, 342 isolates of bacteria, and 556 actinomycetes were isolated from mushroom composts and soils, were subjected to primary screening test on agar medium base for their antimicrobial spectra. Among them, 12 bacteria and 71 actinomycetes were selected. Among the antibiotic producing microoganisms, 5 cultures were selected on the basis their antibiotic activities on casing soil with Benlate nontolerence M. perniciosa. Finally, AJ-117, AJ-136 and AK-139 were selected as microoganism with antifungal activity against two strains of M. perniciosa.

In order to find out the effect of medicinal plant extracts on germination of zoosporan-gium and mycelium growth of Pythium ultimum, this study was carried out. Among 28 species in 16 families of plants tested, plant extracts from 9 species were strongly inhibitory to zoosporan-gium germination of P. ultimum. Plant extracts from 3 species were strongly inhibitory to mycellium growth of P. ultimum. Especially, Paeonia suffruticosa was strongly inhibitory. P. suffruticosa was shown a strong control effect on damping-off of sesame by P. ultimum sesame, but no effect on cucumber. Seed germination of sesame and cucumber was shown phyto-alexin by extract of Phytolacca esculenta.

The effect of different carbon and nitrogen compounds on the growth and sporula­tion of Curvularia clavata Alcorn (Herberium No. IMI264075) has been studied. All the carbon sources tried were well utilized by the pathogen though glucose, and sucrose supported the best growth while glucose, maltose and sucrose the sporulation of the fungus. Of the nine nitrogen compounds, L-glutamic acid supported the best growth while aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid the sporulation of the fungus. Growth and sporulation were generally better with organic than inorganic nitrogen sources. Ammonium sulphate was the best inorganic source. A sudden drop of pH value of the culture media after 4 days of incubation did not favour good growth of the fungus.